INTO THE BLACK

The mark of leadership is an understanding of sacrifice

If it is my duty to guide my sailors on their floating citadel at sea, then let me always consider them first. Without them, I lead a city of steel without a heart.

If it is a betrayal to err on the side of life, then let me be the first to err, for my crew is my life. Without a crew, our warship is naught but a hollow threat.

Most importantly, if I am to rain destruction upon my nation's enemies, if it is my life's work to defend my nation, then let it be that my nation is worth defending.

If I have sacrificed everything I have to defend my nation, then it is my honor to surrender my life in the line of duty.

If it is my nation's will that I die in battle, I will queue up and leap willingly into said jaws, choking my enemy with every fiber of my being, every atom of my will.

All I ever ask is my leaders understand the sacrifice we make. The families we don't see, the rigors of preparation, the isolation and madness of waiting to a battle we pray never comes. A battle which should it ever truly arrive will define the future of our world.

On humble shoulders such a great weight always sits. Never casual, the threat of such is always around us, in us, under us, in our work, in…